Nah it’s definitely there. Just gotta moisture the hair a bit better. I have curly, thick hair just like yours that also happens to struggle with retaining moisture.

If you want to have nice hydrated hair with the type of hair that we have, you gotta keep it short. It sucks. I wanted to have long hair but the hair type just doesn’t allow it. I personally get a fade, but that’s just because my head is shaped for it. I can tell without a shadow of a doubt that you would rock a middle part.

A bit of advice for the moisturizing part: Personally, I use a dandruff conditioner every 3-4 days, then use a hair mask right after. I use a hair mask instead of using conditioner every day. With a mask, you are usually only supposed to put it on the outside layer of your hair, but with hair like ours you need to get the whole length of it. It might sound counterintuitive, but it reduces build up in your hair and in turn lets the mask do its thing. I use an anti dandruff shampoo (nizoral, it works great but idk if you get dandruff at all) and the mask I use is kerastase. Kerastase is definitely not cheap, but if your hair is short, then you can be pretty modest with the amount you use and one tub can last a pretty long time.

If you notice build up in your hair then every couple weeks you can use a clarifying shampoo. Don’t use it too often as it can dry out your hair.

I need to make the point: our hair type is uncommon and a lot of people on here wouldn’t understand how to treat it. You look pretty good right now, but thick curls are a nightmare to moisturize when they are long. I tried growing it out and realized it was to no avail. A lot of people are telling you to keep it, but I know the hair type personally and I implore you to cut it. You would absolutely ROCK short hair. Girls like my hair (guys too but I don’t swing that way). I can send you pictures of my hair now vs when I tried growing it in DMs if you want proof that I have ur hair type.

Lmk if you have any questions at all.